Rail-type electrification system

ABSTRACT

A rail-type electrification system comprising one or more rail members each of which is constituted of a pair of coextensive spaced, opposed, conductor bars defining between them a path of travel for a contact shoe or collector assemblage. Each collector assemblage comprises a plurality of shoes disposed between the bars and adjacent each other, each of said shoes having angularly disposed contact surfaces which face away from each other. A spring clip carries the contact shoes and permits limited relative movement while biasing them against the bars. The shoes and spring mounting can be connected by cables to equipment. Each pair of shoes has a total of four contacting faces bearing against the two bars of the rail member.

e s Hate States Ptem H 1 5 7 9 Howell, Jr. 1 Mar. 14, 1972 [54] RAIL-TYPE ELECTRIFICATION SYSTEM Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-George H. Libman [72] Inventor: Alleyne C. Howell, Jr., c/o Howell Corp., Gi Lehman 470 Surf Avenue, Stratford, Conn. 06497 [22 Filed: Apr. 17, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT A rail-type electrification system comprising one or more rail [21] Appl' 29458 members each of which is constituted of a pair of coextensive spaced, opposed, conductor bars defining between them a [52] U.S. Cl. 191/45 A, 19 I /59.1 path of travel for a contact shoe or collector assemblage. Each [5 l] rm. Cl .360: 5/08 collecsor assemblage comprises s plurality of shoes sllsposeo 5s 1 Field of Search 191/58, 45 A, 23 A, 48, 49, between the bars and adjacent each other, each of said shoes 191/591, 45 R having angularly disposed contact surfaces which face away from each other. A spring clip carries the contact shoes and 56] References Cited permits limited relative movement while biasing them against the bars. The shoes and spring mounting can be connected by UNITED STATES PATENTS cables to equipment. Each pair of shoes has a total of four ta t' f b t th tw b th 2,700,706 1/1955 Frank et al ..191/45 R 0 mg am earmg agams e o m of e Jones Mageoch et a]. ..191/59.l

member.

22 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR14 I972 8,648,719

SHEET 1 BF 4 I NVENTOR.

Alleyn C. Howell, Jr.

PATENTEDHAR 14 I872 SHEET 3 UF 4 I NVENTOR. Howell ,Jn

Aliegn C.

PATENTEDMAR 14 I972 SHEET La UF 4 INVENTOR Alleyne cJ-lowell ,Jl?

RAIL-TYPE ELECTRIFICATION SYSTEM CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS l. Copending application entitled Electrical Collector for Conductor Rails, Ser. No. 728,964, filed May I4, 1968 in the name of Alleyne C. Howell, Ir. now US. Pat. No. 3,525,823.

BACKGROUND This invention relates to electrification systems, and more particularly to systems of this kind wherein collector shoes travel along conductor bars or rails to pick up electrical energy therefrom. In the past various types of rail electrification devices or trolley arrangements have been proposed and produced. Some of these have utilized carriages provided with wheels and with multiple shoes, the latter engaging coextensive copper conductor strips. Other devices dispensed with the wheels and consisted of sliding collector shoes which were connected to or supported by linkages and the like, associated with travelling carriages. In still other arrangements, connecting linkages between the shoes and carriage were dispensed with, and the shoes were attached to a base member, to which a tow chain was connected whereby the shoe assemblages could be pulled along the rails while supported thereby. These prior devices were in many cases complicated and costly. Moreover, they could not always be depended on to faithfully maintain an unbroken electrical contact or circuit during various conditions of use. Those devices which were simpler, were not adapted under all conditions to preserve circuit integrity while operating at appreciable current densities and voltage. Moreover, some of the prior electrification systems had open slots to accommodate the shoe supports, and this permitted dirt to enter and be deposited on the conductor bars; they were also objectionable if arcing occurred, since sparks could be thrown out.

SUMMARY The above drawbacks and disadvantages of prior rail type electrification systems are obviated by the present invention, which has for one object the provision of an improved sliding contact type multiple conductor rail and collector combination which is of especially low cost and wherein the rails are mostly enclosed so as to minimize the effects of arcing and dirt, said combination having independent collectors which are devoid of linkages and the like to support them, the entire system being noncritical as regards positioning of the rails with respect to the path of travel of the equipment being supplied with electricity. This object is accomplished by the provision of a novel multiple rail or conductor structure wherein each rail comprises a pair of spaced bars that each have angularly disposed contact surfaces, preferably arranged in the configuration of a V-section crown or trough, the crowns (or troughs) facing toward each other and being spaced to provide between them a path of travel for an associated collector or shoe assemblage. A tubular insulating jacket encloses each separate rail structure and has a long slit in one side to provide access to the space between the crowns of the conductor bars. The collector assemblage comprises a plurality of contact shoes each having contact surfaces in the form of V-troughs (or crowns). The shoes are arranged so that the troughs or crowns thereof face in opposite directions and engage the spaced conductor bars. The shoes are carried by spring plates which bias them against the conductor bars at all times. Each shoe thus has a pair of angularly disposed faces engaging angularly arranged contact surfaces of a conductor bar.

Other objects and features of the invention reside in the provision of an improved electrification system as above, wherein sparking is kept to a minimum, dust and dirt are largely excluded from the contacting surfaces, and wherein a simple tow-line arrangement may be utilized to effect the travel of the shoe assemblages along the rails.

Still other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. In the drawings illustrating a number of embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a triple conductor rail assemblage provided with individual collectors in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 22 of F IG. 1 and showing a collector in end elevation.

FIG. 3 is a transverse section through a conductor rail, taken at ajoint thereof.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the collector shoe assemblage of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a spring sheet metal carrier for the collector shoes of the type shown in FIGS. I, 2 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of collector shoes as employed in the system of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a collector shoe and spring plate mounting means for a plurality of shoes, illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a transverse section through a conductor rail structure showing a collector shoe assemblage in end elevation, and illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a spring carrier for the collector shoes of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary transverse section somewhat like FIG. 8 but showing another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a view like that of FIG. 10 but illustrating still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a collector shoe arrangement depicting yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of the collector shoe arrangement of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the collector shoe of FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a collector shoe and spring mounting constituting another embodiment of the invention and illustrating a method of assembly.

FIG. 16 is an end elevational view of the collector show arrangement of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a collector shoe arrangement constituting yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view of the collector shoe arrangement of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a one-piece collector shoe and spring mounting device, illustrating still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a one-piece collector depicting yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a view like that of FIG. 2, showing still another embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-6, there is illustrated a triple conductor rail assemblage designated generally by the numeral 30 and a plurality of separate, individually movable and removable, multiple-contact, captive collector assemblages designated generally by the numeral 32. Considering FIGS. 1-3, each conductor rail comprises an elongate sheet metal channel structure 34 having upper and lower flange portions 36, 38 respectively, a vertical connecting web portion 40, and upper and lower V-section contact bar portions 42, 44 respectively. In accordance with the present invention the contact bar portions 42, 44 each have a V-shaped cross-sectional configuration, presenting angularly disposed pairs of contact faces 46, 48 and 50, 52 respectively. The contact bars 42, 44 are seen to be disposed in spaced superposed relation to each other, with the intervening space constituting a path of travel for collector shoes shortly to be described.

Surrounding the conductor rail 34 there may be provided a resilient insulating sheath or jacket 54 of plastic or rubberlike material, said jacket having a longitudinal slit 56 in one side which provides access to the space between the contact bars 42, 44. Adjoining, aligned lengths of the channel rails 34 are joined to each other by a joint splice in the form of a channelshaped connector member 58 which snugly fits within the bars and has spring fingers 60 accommodated in suitable notches of the bar portions to lock the rails in abutting relation. A

booster wire 62 may be provided along the underside of the bar portion 44 to limit voltage drop by carrying current to remote portions of the rail assemblage. Also, a heater wire 63 (see FIG. 3) may be carried to improve moisture resistance.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the contact faces of the rail member 34 are arranged to constitute opposed crown por tions providing pairs of elongate track surfaces separated by the intervening space.

As illustrated, in conjunction with the conductor rails 30, the novel multiple-contact, captive collector assemblages 32 are provided. Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, each collector assemblage comprises a plurality of identical (here shown as four) sliding contact shoes 64 adapted to be disposed adjacent each other and between the bars 42, 44. The shoes 64 are ar ranged one after another, that is, one shoe is upstream of all but two shoes, etc. The shoes 64 preferably comprise metallic blocks, which include graphite or the like in the manner of motor and generator brushes. Each of the shoes 64 has angularly disposed contact surfaces 66, 68 arranged in the configuration ofa V-trough. The V-troughs of adjoining shoes face in opposite directions and engage the spaced opposite conductor bars 42, 44 ofthe rails.

The collector assemblages further comprise spring means mounting the shoes 64 for limited relative movement in opposite directions, said spring means being capable of biasing the shoes away from each other and in directions against the bars 42, 44 when the shoes are in their given operative positions, In FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 the spring means comprises a sheet metal member 70 having a plurality of arms 72 extending in parallel directions. The arms 72 have bent, angularly extending slotted extremities 74 disposed in a row and provided with slots 76. The shoes 64 have shank portions 78 which extend through the slots 76 of the arm extremities and are secured to the arms, as by rivets 80. The spring metal mounting member 70 thus supports the shoes 64 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, whereby the angular faces 66, 68 of the shoes will engage respectively the faces 46, 48, 50 and 52 of the contact bars 42, 44. Further, the spring member 70 maintains a bias on the shoes 64 to maintain the angular contact surfaces thereof in engagement with the cooperable contact surfaces of the bars under continual pressure. Due to the arms 72 of the member 70 being independently movable, the collector shoes 64 will be independently biased and will faithfully, closely follow the cooperable contact surfaces ofthe bar sections 42, 44. Slight irregularities of the contact bar 42, 44 will not result in a break in or discontinuity of the contact between the collector and the bars for the reason that multiple shoes exist, said shoes being movable independently of each other.

As seen in FIG. 2, the adjoining edge portions of the insulating jacket 54 can yield outwardly to provide clearance for the shanks 78 of the shoes 64. At other places along the rail struc ture, the edge portions ofthe insulatingjacket 54 will be closelyjuxtaposed as seen in FIG. 3. Accordingly, there is provided an almost wholly enclosed conductor rail structure which minimizes the likelihood of shock to personnel, and tends to keep out dirt from the rail surfaces as well as minimizing danger of explosion in a dusty atmosphere. as one containing small particles of lint. The enclosure effected by thejacket 64 around the collector shoe assemblages tends to keep sparks from falling out if there should be any arcing, in addition to protecting the contact surfaces from external dirt particles. The spring member 70 is provided with openings 82 at its two ends to accommodate pull cables or the like whereby the collectors can be shifted along the rails to desired locations.

The shoes 64 have wide bevels 83 which provide clearance for the conductor bars 42, 44, enabling the shoe assemblages to be withdrawn laterally from the conductors rails. For this purpose, the shoes yield and shift angularly in directions opposite to the bias thereof, being cammed in said directions by the faces 46, 50 of the conductor bars, engaging the cooperable faces 66 of the shoes. Referring to FIG. 2, the shoe assemblage can be withdrawn laterally front the rail 40 by forcing it to the right to effect the said cumming action.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. In this figure a collector shoe 84 in the form of a metallic composition block has angularly disposed contact surfaces 86, 88 and a body portion 90, the latter being provided with recesses 92, 94 in its sides. A supporting spring means is provided, comprising superposed upper and lower sheet metal plates 96, 98 having fastener portions comprising lugs I00, I02 which form nests for receiving the body portions of the shoes. The sheet metal plates 96 are arranged in spaced parallel relation and have offset mounting portions I04 engaged with and secured to each other, as by a bolt passing through aligned slots I06, I08. The body portions 90 of the sliding contact shoes can be secured in any suitable manner, as by means of a fastening screw (not shown) extending through a hole I 10 in the plate portion carrying the lug I02.

Another embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Here the conductor rail comprises a channel I I2 having superposed upper and lower conductor bar portions I I4, 116 wherein the crowning is less pronounced. That is, the angular faces of the portions I14, I16 define between them a larger angle, as compared with the approximately 90 angle illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper and lower collector shoes I18, 120 respectively have angular contact faces conforming to the angularity of the bar portions I14, 116. Spring support means are provided for the shoes I18, I20 comprising a pair of upper and lower angle-shaped plates I22. 124 having substantially parallel spaced apart supporting portions I26, 128 provided with bent apertured lugs I30, 132, the lugs being accommodated in suitable recesses in the shoes I18, I20, and being secured thereto by drive screws I34, 136 as shown.

The supporting plates I22, I24 are carried by a spring clip member comprising a curved body portion 138, upper and lower flanges I40, I42, I44 and I46. The plates I22, 124 have flanged portions I48, which are accommodated within the flanges I40, 142 and 144, 146 of the spring plate I38. A laneed web I52 can accommodate a pull cable 154. Electrical connections may be effected through the spring member 138 in any desired manner, as by means of connector lugs 156. The spring member 138 imparts a bias to the shoes I18. I20 and maintains the angular contact surfaces thereofin intimate engagement with the upper and lower rails or conductor bars I 14, I I6.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 10, wherein a channel section rail 158 has superposed upper and lower conductor bar portions 160, I62 arranged to have a flatter angle than the angle illustrated in FIG. 8. The upper and lower collector shoes I64, 166 have angularly disposed contact faces which conform to the cross section of the bars 160, 162, said shoes being carried by mounting plates I26, I28.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. I], wherein a conductor rail I68 of channel section has conductor bar portions I70, I72 provided with angularly disposed contact surfaces 174, I76 presenting a shallow groove configuration instead of a crowned configuration to the collector shoes I78 and 180. The contact surfaces of the collector shoes I78, accordingly present a crowned configuration as opposed to the troughlike configuration of the preceding embodiments of the invention. The mounting plates I82, I84 have angularly extended lugs I86, 188 respectively, which are snugly received in blind holes in the shoes I78, I80 for the purpose of carrying the shoes.

Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. I2-I4. Here collector shoes 190 have shank portions I92 provided with bearing grooves I94 which accommodate a pintle or pivot pin I96 carried by angle brackets 198. A spring means is provided in the form ofa longitudinally slitted spring metal tube 200 which encloses the pintle I96 and the bearing portions of the shoes 190. The opposite longitudinal edges of the slit in the tube 200 engage the shank portions I92 of the shoes and bias the latter in directions which maintain the angularly disposed contact surfaces thereof in engagement with the cooperable conductor bar surfaces of the electrification rail. Puller strips 202 are carried at the ends of the pintle 196 and are arranged for connection with pull chains or cables, to pull the brush or collector assemblage along the conductor rail. Or, the pull chains can be connected to links 203 carried by the angle brackets 198. Electrical connection is made through lead wire 205.

A still further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FlGS. and 16, wherein collector shoes 206 have shank portions 208 provided with end enlargements 210, the shank portions being accommodated in slots 212 of angularly bent ex tremities 214 carried by arms 216 of a channel-section spring member 218. The arms 216 have openings 220 adapted to pass the end enlargements 210, whereby the shanks 208 ofthe shoes may be readily assembled to the spring member 218 by first passing the end enlargements 210 through the openings 220, and thereafter swinging the shoes so as to dispose the shank portions 208 in the apertures 212. The spring member 218 biases the shoes and maintains the latter in contact with the conductor bars.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. ln this embodiment, collector shoes 222 have angularly disposed faces 224, 226 for engagement with cooperable faces of the conductor bars. The shoes 222 are carried by parallel superposed upper and lower spring plates 228, 230.

The plates 228, 230 have apertured base portions receiving a draft bolt 232 under which a terminal 234 is held. The base portions of the plates 228, 230 have folded lugs 236, 238 respectively engaging outer or back surfaces of the plates to lock the same to each other. The folded lug portions 236, 238 are apertured to receive hooks 240 attached to pull cables 242. The plates 228. 230 bias the collector shoes 222 in directions away from each other and maintaining their engagement with the cooperable conductor rails.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 19, wherein the collector shoe assemblage is constituted as a single integral sheet metal piece. Superposed upper and lower shoe portions 246, 248 of the spring metal U-shaped piece 250 comprise extremities of upper and lower flange portions 252. 254 of the piece. Pull cables 256 are accommodated in openings 258 of the metal piece 50, and a terminal 260 secures an electrical conductor 262 to the metal piece. The shoes 246. 248 are biased in opposite directions, to be maintained in engagement with the conductor bars of the rail structure.

Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 20, wherein a flat piece of spring sheet metal 264 is provided with slots 266, 268, thereby forming a plurality of spring arms 270, 272 and 274. The extremities of the spring arms 270, 272 and 274 are formed with angularly disposed contact surfaces whereby they comprise collector shoes 276, 278 and 280 respectively. The plate 264 has an aperture 282 to accommodate an eyelet terminal, and pull cables can be attached to the plate by means ofcorner openings 284.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in H6. 21, Here the conductor rail 286 comprises a channel having a web portion 288 and opposed conductor bars 290 and 292. The bars 290, 202 are of V-section and present angularly disposed contact surfaces constituting a crowned configuration. Surrounding the rail 286 is an insulatingjacket 294 hav ing a longitudinal slit 296 through which there extend studs 298. The studs 298 are carried by a block or base 300, and in turn carry a pair of contact shoes 302, 304. The shoe 302 is rigid on the studs 298, whereas the shoe 304 is slidably carried and biased toward the shoe 302 by coil springs 306. The shoes 302, 304 have angularly disposed contact surfaces engaging the angular contact surfaces of the bars 290, 292. The pres sure contacts are maintained by the spring 306, which engage the base block 300 and the shoe 304. Four contacts result, as with other embodiments ofthe invention.

lt will now be seen from the foregoing that l have provided a novel and improved conductor rail and collector shoe arrangement wherein each shoe has a plurality of angularly disposed faces for engagement with corresponding angularly disposed faces of conductor bars or rails, said shoes being preferably employed in multiples and being continually spring-urged to maintain their contact with conductor bars. in some of the embodiments of the invention the collector shoe assemblages can be installed laterally in the conductor rail structures and removed laterally therefrom. With other embodiments it is necessary to install or remove the shoe assem' blages by applying the individual shoes separately, or removing them separately, or by shifting the complete assemblages through the ends of the rails, in which latter circumstance in the shoe assemblies are securely held captive and cannot nor mally be removed laterally ofthe rails.

The various structures are seen to be especially simple. involving relatively few parts in a compact assemblage. By virtue of the multiple contacting surfaces and the independent spring or support action for the individual shoes. the likelihood of arcing or breaking of the electrical contact is greatly minimized, thereby adapting the system for use with control circuits where inadvertent opening of a circuit would interfere with the normal operation.

The closed nature of the rail structures minimizes the likelihood of dirt being deposited from the exterior onto the contacting surfaces, and also prevents sparks from falling out if any arcing should inadvertently occur. lrregularities in the rail structures will not defeat the maintenance ofcontact since each shoe assembly is independently mounted and shifted in dependently of the others. Accordingly, the distance between the rails need not be rigorously held to critical dimensions, and the rails need not follow closely the path of travel of the equipment with which the electrification system is used.

Variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

lclaim:

1. A sliding collector device for electrification systems comprising, in combination:

a. a pair of contact shoes disposed alongside each other and adapted to slide along a conductor bar,

b. each of said shoes having a pair ofelectrically conductive contact surfaces,

. the contact surfaces of one shoe facing generally in different directions from the contact surfaces of the adjoin ing shoe and the surfaces of the shoes being arranged for engagement respectively with opposed cooperable surfaces on each of a pair of spaced, coextensive conductor bar,

d. said shoes each having a pair of opposite side surfaces between which the contact surfaces of the shoes extend,

e. said shoes being arranged one upstream of the other with a side surface of one shoe adjacent and facing a side sur face ofthe other shoe,

f. spring means mounting said shoes for limited relative movement in opposite directions,

g. said means being capable of biasing said shoes in the said opposite directions when the shoes are in given operative positions, thereby to bias the contact surfaces thereof for pressing engagement with the cooperablc surfaces of the spaced bars.

. A sliding collector device as in claim 1, wherein:

. the contact surfaces of each of said shoes are angularly disposed with respect to each other,

said surfaces being in the configuration ofa Vtrough,

. A sliding collector device as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the contact surfaces of each of said shoes are angularly disposed with respect to each other,

. said surfaces comprising a crowned configuration.

A collector as in claim 1, wherein:

the contact shoes are superposed and arranged back to back.

. A collector as in claim 1, wherein:

there are additional shoes similar to the shoes defined,

all of said contact shoes being disposed in a row and the pairs of contact surfaces of the shoes being arranged in staggered relation with respect to each other.

6. A collector as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the contact shoes comprise blocks of metallic composition, having body portions provided with recesses in their sides,

b. said spring means comprising sheet metal plates having fastener portions to which the shoe body portions are secured,

c. said fastener portions including lugs disposed in the recesses of the body portions.

A collector as in claim 6, wherein:

. the sheet metal plates are arranged in spaced, parallel relation and have offset mounting portions engaged with and secured to each other.

A collector as in claim 6, wherein:

a. the sheet metal plates are arranged in spaced parallel relation and have angularly extended base portions, and

b. a spring clip engaged with the base portions of the metal plates for mounting the latter and biasing the same, thereby to urge the contact shoes in directions away from each other.

9. A collector as in claim 8, wherein:

a. the recesses in the shoe blocks comprise blind holes,

b. said lugs ofthe fastener portions extending angularly with respect to the metal plates and being disposed in said blind holes.

10. A collector as in claim l, wherein:

a. the contact shoes comprise blocks of metallic composition, having shank portions provided with bearing grooves,

b. said shoes being disposed in staggered relation with the shank portions in alignment,

c. a pintle extending along the bearing grooves of the shanks,

d. said spring means comprising a slitted spring metal tube enclosing the pintle and having the longitudinal edges of the slit thereof engaged with the shoe shanks to impart bias to the shoes.

11. A collector as in claim 10, and further including:

a. pull links carried by the ends of the pintle and adapted for attachment to pull cords for the purpose of propelling the collector along a conducting rail structure.

12. A collector as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the contact shoes comprise blocks of metallic composition,

b. said spring means comprising sheet metal plates having fastener portions to which the shoe body portions are secured,

c. said metal plates being arranged in spaced, parallel relation and having offset mounting portions engaged with and secured to each other,

d. each of said mounting portions having a folded lug engaging the other mounting portion to secure the portions together, and

e. a locking bolt passing through the mounting portions.

13. A collector device as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the contact shoes and spring means are constituted of a single piece of spring sheet metal and are integral with each other.

14. A collector as in claim 13, wherein;

a. the contact shoes are superposed and arranged back to back,

b. said sheet metal comprising a U-shapcd hotly portion.

15. A collector as in claim 13, wherein:

a. the contact shoes are staggered and disposed in a row.

b. said sheet metal comprising a flat body portion.

16. A sliding collector device as in claim 1, wherein:

a. said spring mounting means comprises parallel studs and a base on which the studs are carried,

b. one of said contact shoes being slidably carried by said studs,

c. said spring means including a coil spring engaging said one contact shoe.

17. A sliding collector device as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the contact shoes are urged toward each other by said spring mounting means.

18. A sliding collector device as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the contact shoes are urged in directions away from each other by said spring mounting means.

19. A sliding collector device for electrification systems comprising, in combination:

a. a plurality of contact shoes disposed adjacent each other,

b. each of said shoes having electrically conductive contact surfaces adapted to slide along a conductor bar,

c. said contact surfaces facing in different directions for engagement with a pair of spaced, opposed coextensive conductor bars, and

(1. spring means mounting said shoes for limited lClUllH) movement in opposite directions,

c. said means being capable of biasing said shoes in the said opposite directions when the shoes are in given operathe positions, thereby to bias the contact surfaces for pressing engagement with the cooperable spaced bars,

said contact shoes comprising blocks of metallic composition, having supporting shank portions,

. said spring means comprising sheet metal having a plurality of arms extending in parallel directions,

. said arms having bent, angularly extending slotted extremities disposed in a row,

. the shank portions of the contact shoes extending through the slots of the arm extremities and being secured to said arms.

20. A collector as in claim 19, wherein;

a. the arms of the sheet metal member and shank portions of the shoes are apertured and secured together by headed fasteners.

21. A collector as in claim 19, wherein:

a. the sheet metal spring means comprises a channel member having flange portions from which the arms ex tend.

22. A collector as in claim 19, wherein:

a. the shank portions of the shoes have enlarged ends preventing their withdrawal from the slotted extremities of the arms,

b. said arms having openings communicating with and larger than the slots thereof,

c. the enlarged ends of the shanks being receivable in the arm openings to enable insertion and removal of the shanks respectively in and from said arm extremities. 

1. A sliding collector device for electrification systems comprising, in combination: a. a pair of contact shoes disposed alongside each other and adapted to slide along a conductor bar, b. each of said shoes having a pair of electrically conductive contact surfaces, c. the contact surfaces of one shoe facing generally in different directions from the contact surfaces of the adjoining shoe and the surfaces of the shoes being arranged for engagement respectively with opposed cooperable surfaces on each of a pair of spaced, coextensive conductor bar, d. said shoes each having a pair of opposite side surfaces between which the contact surfaces of the shoes extend, e. said shoes being arranged one upstream of the other with a side surface of one shoe adjacent and facing a side surface of the other shoe, f. spring means mounting said shoes for limited relative movement in opposite directions, g. said means being capable of biasing said shoes in the said opposite directions when the shoes are in given operative positions, thereby to bias the contact surfaces thereof for pressing engagement with the cooperable surfaces of the spaced bars.
 2. A sliding collector device as in claim 1, wherein: a. the contact surfaces of each of said shoes are angularly disposed with respect to each other, b. said surfaces being in the configuration of a V-trough,
 3. A sliding collector device as in claim 1, wherein: a. the contact surfaces of each of said shoes are angularly disposed with respect to each other, b. said surfaces comprising a crowned configuration.
 4. A collector as in claim 1, wherein: a. the contact shoes are superposed and arranged back to back.
 5. A collector as in claim 1, wherein: a. there are additional shoes similar to the shoes defined, b. all of said contact shoes being disposed in a row and the pairs of contact surfaces of the shoes being arranged in staggered relation with respect to each other.
 6. A collector as in claim 1, wherein: a. the contact shoes comprise blocks of metallic composition, having body portions provided with recesses in their sides, b. said spring means comprising sheet metal plates having fastener portions to which the shoe body portions are secured, c. said fastener portions including lugs disposed in the recesses of the body portions.
 7. A collector as in claim 6, wherein: a. the sheet metal plates are arranged in spaced, parallel relation and have offset mounting portions engaged with and secured to each other.
 8. A collector as in claim 6, wherein: a. the sheet metal plates are arranged in spaced parallel relation and have angularly extended base portions, and b. a spring clip engaged with the base portions of the metal plates for mounting the latter and biasing the same, thereby to urge the contact shoes in directions away from each other.
 9. A collector as in claim 8, wherein: a. the recesses in the shoe blocks comprise blind holes, b. said lugs of the fastener portions extending angularly with respect to the metal plates and being disposed in said blind holes.
 10. A collector as in claim 1, wherein: a. the contact shoes comprise blocks of metallic composition, having shank portions provided with bearing grooves, b. said shoes being disposed in staggered relation with the shank portions in alignment, c. a pintle extending along the bearing grooves of the shanks, d. said spring means comprising a slitted spring metal tube enclosing the pintle and having the longitudinal edges of the slit thereof engaged with the shoe shanks to impart bias to the shoes.
 11. A collector as in claim 10, and further including: a. pull links carried by the ends of the pintle and adapted for attachment to pull cords for the purpose of propelling the collector along a conducting rail structure.
 12. A collector as in claim 1, wherein: a. tHe contact shoes comprise blocks of metallic composition, b. said spring means comprising sheet metal plates having fastener portions to which the shoe body portions are secured, c. said metal plates being arranged in spaced, parallel relation and having offset mounting portions engaged with and secured to each other, d. each of said mounting portions having a folded lug engaging the other mounting portion to secure the portions together, and e. a locking bolt passing through the mounting portions.
 13. A collector device as in claim 1, wherein: a. the contact shoes and spring means are constituted of a single piece of spring sheet metal and are integral with each other.
 14. A collector as in claim 13, wherein: a. the contact shoes are superposed and arranged back to back, b. said sheet metal comprising a U-shaped body portion.
 15. A collector as in claim 13, wherein: a. the contact shoes are staggered and disposed in a row, b. said sheet metal comprising a flat body portion.
 16. A sliding collector device as in claim 1, wherein: a. said spring mounting means comprises parallel studs and a base on which the studs are carried, b. one of said contact shoes being slidably carried by said studs, c. said spring means including a coil spring engaging said one contact shoe.
 17. A sliding collector device as in claim 1, wherein: a. the contact shoes are urged toward each other by said spring mounting means.
 18. A sliding collector device as in claim 1, wherein: a. the contact shoes are urged in directions away from each other by said spring mounting means.
 19. A sliding collector device for electrification systems comprising, in combination: a. a plurality of contact shoes disposed adjacent each other, b. each of said shoes having electrically conductive contact surfaces adapted to slide along a conductor bar, c. said contact surfaces facing in different directions for engagement with a pair of spaced, opposed coextensive conductor bars, and d. spring means mounting said shoes for limited relative movement in opposite directions, e. said means being capable of biasing said shoes in the said opposite directions when the shoes are in given operative positions, thereby to bias the contact surfaces for pressing engagement with the cooperable spaced bars, f. said contact shoes comprising blocks of metallic composition, having supporting shank portions, g. said spring means comprising sheet metal having a plurality of arms extending in parallel directions, h. said arms having bent, angularly extending slotted extremities disposed in a row, i. the shank portions of the contact shoes extending through the slots of the arm extremities and being secured to said arms.
 20. A collector as in claim 19, wherein: a. the arms of the sheet metal member and shank portions of the shoes are apertured and secured together by headed fasteners.
 21. A collector as in claim 19, wherein: a. the sheet metal spring means comprises a channel member having flange portions from which the arms extend.
 22. A collector as in claim 19, wherein: a. the shank portions of the shoes have enlarged ends preventing their withdrawal from the slotted extremities of the arms, b. said arms having openings communicating with and larger than the slots thereof, c. the enlarged ends of the shanks being receivable in the arm openings to enable insertion and removal of the shanks respectively in and from said arm extremities. 